Iranian national team criticizes travel restrictions after World Cup draw

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 16, 2026, 12:41 PM

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

Iranian national team criticizes travel restrictions after World Cup draw

Summary

The Iranian national soccer team expressed frustration over travel restrictions after a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their World Cup opener on June 16, 2026. Following the match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, coach Amir Ghalenoei remarked on the team's forced departure from the U.S. without adequate recovery time. Players, including Mehdi Taremi and Mohammad Mohebi, echoed concerns about the lack of time to properly prepare for their next matches. The team is scheduled to return to their camp in Tijuana immediately after the game.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Latest Updates

•Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their World Cup opener.
•Coach Amir Ghalenoei criticized the team's travel guidelines.
•Players voiced concerns about recovery time after matches.
•The team must return to Tijuana immediately after the match.
•Players aim to perform well for their supporters in future games.

Latest Updates

12:41 PMYahoo Sports — Iranian National Team Slams Trump’s Travel Restrictions After Being Forced to Leave US Immediately After World Cup Match

What they're saying

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The Iranian national team complained about its strict travel guidelines after the team was forced to leave the U.S. right after its match against New Zealand.
— Yahoo Sports

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